The risk of any of the ballot measures passing is too great not to seek a compromise, said Clarence Hughes, owner of GreenBuilt Homes in Littleton. "Our industry has gone through such a devastating period, and we are just getting back on our feet."

Polis is supporting three ballot issues that are covered by nine initiatives.

One set of initiatives would establish a mandatory setback from homes for drilling rigs of 1,500 feet to a half-mile. Another set gives local government more control.

Sponsors say that just one setback and local control measure would go to the ballot. Petitions are being collected, and backers have until Aug. 4 to submit 86,105 valid signatures on each measure.

A third initiative would add an environmental bill of rights to the state constitution.

"If the citizenry approves some of the setbacks being proposed, it is going to have a real dire impact on the state's economy," Hughes said.

GreenBuilt operates in Littleton and Adams County, one of the areas seeing oil and gas development.

"There is already a shortage of building lots," Hughes said.

The developers and builders in their letters expressed concern that if the initiatives were made part of the state's constitution they would become "difficult, if not impossible to repeal."

"We need a compromise that works for Jared Polis and the economic interests of the state," Hughes said. "That's what the legislature is there for."